We live an age of opportunity when it comes to reading and technology. I am not just talking about ebooks and editable PDFs. Teachers, you have a chance to take student engagement to the next level when it comes to reading! Have your classes share student reading with book talks to introduce your students to new texts, practice speaking, and foster creativity.
FLIP YOUR LID FOR Flipgrid
Even if you and your students are new to video, you can get them discussing books in minutes with Flipgrid. This (now free) platform starts when you make a grid for your classroom. Create a topic (like “first quarter book talks”) and your students can post up to five minute videos about their favorite books.
As long as they have a camera, they can post a video.
Do it from an iPad, laptop, or even smartphone. You have control and can set your grid videos to only post with your approval. Your students can also use stickers and fun filters to post a picture to go with their video.
Have students respond with video or text comments. It may be helpful to give your students a list of questions to answer about their book before they film their talk.
AMAZE WITH Animoto
If your students don’t want to get in front of the camera, have them create online videos with sites like Animoto. Teachers can apply for a free educator account for themselves and up to 50 students. Animoto has images available or students can use their own photographs to create expertly made slideshow videos.
Each student will have a different experience as Animoto doesn’t has the same standard templates for each video. Give your students a list of literary and plot elements to include in their visual book talk.
LIVE AND IN PERSON
There’s something to be said for live presentations. It is important for students to learn how to present to a live audience. Book talks can be a low risk way for your students to get used to speaking in front of a group. Give them a time limit to give a short review of their book.
You can have them prepare or just talk in small or whole group about what they’re reading. Consider having students sign up for a date and start each English or Reading class period with one book talk.
If you want to keep an archive of the talks, set up an iPad or phone on a Swivl or other camera tool to record the presentations.
No matter what method you use for book talks, make sure your class actively listens by recording the titles of books they are interested in reading. This could be an opportunity to form literature circles for specific titles or book clubs with your students.
Embrace the chance to share student reading with book talks with technology or with live class presentations.
Any other ideas for book talks that you would like to add? I’d love to hear from you, so comment below with your suggestions!
